Rye Racquet Club pro Teza Simunyola, a longtime supporter of youth tennis in his native Zambia, has started a new nonprofit, So Chabe. The organization helps young players in Lusaka, where he grew up, with both tennis and academics.

By Georgetta Morque

 

Rye Racquet Club pro Teza Simunyola, a longtime supporter of youth tennis in his native Zambia, has started a new nonprofit, So Chabe. The organization helps young players in Lusaka, where he grew up, with both tennis and academics. The name comes from a phrase meaning, “I am the way I am, no gimmicks.” 

 

Simunyola knows what it’s like to dream of becoming a tennis champion. He also realizes how fortunate he was to have a father who stressed the importance of education so he was able to earn a college tennis scholarship, compete at a high level as a member of Zambia’s Davis Cup team, and enjoy a successful coaching career in the United States.  

 

Wanting to give back, he began offering lessons to a few children in Lusaka seven years ago. The group grew to nearly 100, and additional coaches were called upon.

 

Simunyola is now trying to identify 20 youngsters who exhibit the most potential to benefit from So Chabe. He knows that chances are slim for a young player to become the next big tennis star.

 

“A strong emphasis on academics and tennis will put them in the position to have real-life choices where they can succeed,” says Simunyola, who is working with local schools and private clubs to help provide opportunities for the youngsters.

 

For further information, visit www.sochabe.com.